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The English side together with their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in the same group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, setting up a major early encounter in Australia. They are joined in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and Zimbabwe.

This pairing recalls their famous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at Twickenham played a part in the English team's surprise early exit.

Other Notable Pool Pairings

Ireland and the Scots also share a group once again, replicating the situation from the France 2023 tournament. In that tournament, they secured a convincing victory, with Scotland failing to progress to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Portugal, who each made a strong impression as surprise packages in France, round out that same group.

Significantly, the victors of these two groups are kept apart from defending champions and top-ranked South Africa until the showpiece match, presuming the Springboks top their assigned pool.

Knockout Implications

If the pools conclude in line with the current world rankings, further top favourites like the All Blacks and Les Bleus would remain separated from both England and the Irish all the way to the championship decider.

In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the remaining top-ranked nation on the same side of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Face Blockbuster Opener

Tournament hosts the Wallabies have been drawn together with their great rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Group A.

Australia will kick off the tournament in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee match designed to jump-start the event.

In other groups, holders the Springboks have drawn the Azzurri, the Lelos and the Oaks. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Los Pumas will take on the Flying Fijians, Spain and the Canadian team as the World Cup expands to 24 teams from the 20 who competed in 2023.

This edition will introduce a last-16 round for the very first time in Rugby World Cup existence.

Although the victor of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the rugby's biggest beasts early on, they will have to face the second-placed team from Group B – probably Italy – in the first knockout round.

Four of the other six group winners will play a team that finished third from the initial group phase.

RWC 2027 Draw

Pool A

• New Zealand
• Australia
• Chile
• Hong Kong

Pool B

• South Africa
• Italy
• Georgia
• Romania

Pool C

• Argentina
• Fiji
• Spain
• Canada

Pool D

• Ireland
• Scotland
• Uruguay
• Portugal

Pool E

• France
• Japan
• USA
• Samoa

Pool F

• England
• Wales
• Tonga
• Zimbabwe